Hot Topics:

Argentine gaucho tames with whispers, not whips

Kacey Cherry Associated Press

Updated:
06/13/2014 12:05:37 AM EDT

Click photo to enlarge

In this May 29, 2014, photo, Martin Tata embraces his horse Milonga on a ranch in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina. Tata is a self taught horse trainer. For the past 11 years he has been showcasing his unique bond with horses through performances to tourists from around the world. Born and raised on a ranch in the traditional gaucho-town of San Antonio de Areco, around 110 kilometers outside of capital Buenos Aires, Tata has lived and worked amongst horses his entire life. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

SAN ANTONIO DE ARECO, Argentina (AP) — There is no whip in sight, no shouting or loud jabs. Not even a firm hand on the reins. And yet Martin Tatta somehow persuades his beloved Milonga to join him in acrobatic feats, from handstands to other poses that even the most understanding horses rarely display.

Through soft touches, gentle coaxing and a few tender nuzzles, it seems Tatta can sway his steeds to do just about anything,

In San Antonio de Areco, a bastion of Argentine gaucho culture outside the capital of Buenos Aires, the 33-year-old Tatta is known as "the horse whisperer."

In this May 29, 2014, photo, Martin Tata touches his horse Milonga on a ranch in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina. Tata is a self taught horse trainer. For the past 11 years he has been showcasing his unique bond with horses through performances to tourists from around the world. Through soft touches, gentle coaxing and a few tender nuzzles, it seems Tatta can sway his steeds to do just about anything. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)

Eleven years ago, the horse trainer's way of "breaking" horses without aggression caught the attention of a local rancher, who encouraged Tatta to perform for tourists. Since then, he's traveled the world displaying the special skill he has with horses.

Tatta insists anyone could do this, if they were to be patient and gentle enough.

But veteran horseman Alberto Nally, who at 70 is one of the most experienced gauchos in the community, says no other gaucho has such a gentle touch.

"It hardly looks like he's even trying or doing anything — that's why it's special," Nally said. "I've seen other trainers using their reins and pulling the horse's head back and forth, but Martin, no. He is steady and soft when he works with them. He has a gift. He was born with it."

Advertisement

Gauchos are Argentina's version of the North American cowboy. They are distinctive for their wardrobe of beret-styled hats, silver belts and leather chaps, or their habit of drinking the region's traditional tea, yerba mate. Historically, they were revered as stoic outlaws, themselves unable to be tamed.

A gaucho without a horse is simply not a gaucho, explains Andrea Vigil, who directs the town's historic gaucho museum.

In this May 29, 2014, photo, Martin Tata gives a bath to his horse Milonga in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina. Tata is a self taught horse trainer that has lived and worked amongst horses his entire life. The 33-year-old explains that in each routine through short strokes, eye contact and coaxing words, he and the horse become one. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)

What Tatta shows is that when "breaking" or taming a wild horse, "it doesn't have to be done through this harsh or brutal force. Bu instead it's the opposite: It can be done in a warm and intimate way that gets slightly stricter. And then, well, you saw — you can accomplish incredible things," she said.

"It's not a fight with the animal. No, it's all very serene and peaceful," Tatta explains. "There were these visitors that came and watched me, and after I had finished, they began to cry. And she said to me 'Martin, what you do, I can't believe it.' And I said to her, 'Ma'am, please don't cry. Are you ok? Why are you crying?' And he goes, 'You don't understand what you convey when you interact with those animals.'"

In this May 29, 2014, photo, self taught horse trainer Martin Tata kisses his horse Milonga as he performs a show for The Associated Press on a ranch in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina. There is no whip in sight, no shouting or loud jabs. Not even a firm hand on the reins. And yet Martin Tatta somehow persuades his beloved Milonga to join him in acrobatic feats, from handstands to other poses that even the most understanding horses rarely display. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)

In this May 29, 2014, photo, Martin Tata rides his horse Milonga as he guides other horses to a corral in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina. In San Antonio de Areco, a bastion of Argentine gaucho culture outside the capital of Buenos Aires, the 33-year-old Tatta is known as ?the horse whisperer.? (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)

In this May 29, 2014, photo, Martin Tata stands on his horse Milonga as he performs a show for The Associated Press on a ranch in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina, Thursday, May 29, 2014. Eleven years ago, the horse trainer?s way of ?breaking? horses without aggression caught the attention of a local rancher, who encouraged Tatta to perform for tourists. Since then, he?s traveled the world displaying the special skill he has with horses. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)